Sheet manufacturing apparatus and defibrating unit

ABSTRACT

A defibrating unit includes a rotating unit and a fixing unit. The rotating unit and the fixing unit are arranged so as to be apart from each other with a gap therebetween in an intersecting direction that intersects with a rotating shaft of the rotating unit. The rotating unit includes a surface that stands up along an axial direction of the rotating shaft and that is arranged on a side section in the axial direction and arranged at a side where a defibration object is introduced. The fixing unit includes a plurality of plates that are layered in the axial direction, and the plates has a plurality of convexities that protrude at a side facing the rotating unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/219,920, filed on Jul. 26, 2016, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/486,486,filed on Sep. 15, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,428,859. This applicationclaims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-211678 filed onOct. 9, 2013. The entire disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser.Nos. 15/219,920 and 14/486,486, and Japanese Patent Application No.2013-211678 are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a sheet manufacturing apparatus and adefibrating unit.

Related Art

A process (disintegrating process), where a material which is a rawmaterial is changed into fiber before the process of being changed intosheets, is typically performed in the field of sheet manufacturing. Awet system which uses a large amount of water is currently mainstream asthe disintegrating process. Accordingly, processes such as water removaland drying are necessary after the sheets are formed. In addition, it isdifficult to reduce the size of a sheet manufacturing apparatus since alarge amount of equipment for installations for water, electrical power,water discharge, and the like are necessary. As a result, it isdifficult to respond to current demands for energy saving, protectingthe environment, and the like.

As a sheet manufacturing method to replace the manufacturing method inthe prior art as above, there are expectations for a method which usesvery little or no water which is referred to as a dry type, but atechnique for manufacturing completely with a dry type, from rawmaterials to sheets as the final product, has not yet been sufficientlyestablished in the manufacturing of sheets at the current point in time.Here, disintegrating raw materials such as used paper or pulp using adry type is typically referred to as defibrating.

A defibrating apparatus with a system where a flow of air is generatedby rotating a rotating unit and defibration object is transported usingthe flow of air is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2007-144819.

In the defibrating apparatus, for example, (small pieces of) paper asthe defibration object is gradually defibrated and changed into fibers.As a result, it is necessary that different substances are transferredat the input port side and the output port side of the defibratingapparatus. However, in the technique described in Japanese UnexaminedPatent Application Publication No. 2007-144819, there is a concern thattransfer problems will be generated in a defibrating unit with a systemwhere the defibration object is transported by relying on only the flowof air which is generated by rotating of the rotating unit.

SUMMARY

The present invention is carried out in order to solve a portion of theproblems described above and is able to be realized as the followingaspects and applied examples.

According to the first aspect of the invention, a defibrating unitincludes a rotating unit and a fixing unit. The rotating unit and thefixing unit are arranged so as to be apart from each other with a gaptherebetween in an intersecting direction that intersects with arotating shaft of the rotating unit. The rotating unit includes asurface that stands up along an axial direction of the rotating shaftand that is arranged on a side section in the axial direction andarranged at a side where a defibration object is introduced. The fixingunit includes a plurality of plates that are layered in the axialdirection, and the plates has a plurality of convexities that protrudeat a side facing the rotating unit.

According to the aspect of the invention, the plates of the fixing unitare layered such that the convexities of adjacent plates among theplates are contacted to each other.

According to the aspect of the invention, the surface of the rotatingunit extends radially in a direction from the rotating shaft to thefixing unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a partial cross section of adefibrating unit according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating a rotating unit according toan embodiment viewed from the extending direction of a central rotationaxis;

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating the rotating unit accordingto the embodiment viewed from the extending direction of the centralrotation axis;

FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram illustrating the rotating unit accordingto the embodiment viewed from the extending direction of the centralrotation axis;

FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram illustrating the rotating unit accordingto the embodiment viewed from the extending direction of the centralrotation axis;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a main portion of adefibrating unit according to an embodiment viewed from a directionwhich is orthogonal to a central rotation axis;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a main portion of adefibrating unit according to an embodiment viewed from a directionwhich is orthogonal to a central rotation axis;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rotating unit according toan embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rotating plate according toan embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rotating plate and a fixingplate according to an embodiment in a planar view;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fixing plate according toan embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fixing unit according to anembodiment; and

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a sheet manufacturingapparatus according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Several embodiments of the present invention will be described below.The embodiments described below will be described as examples of theinvention. The invention is not limited to the following embodiments andvarious modifications, which are carried out within a scope which doesnot depart from the gist of the invention, are included. Here, none ofthe configurations described below limit the configuration which isessential for the invention.

1. Sheet Manufacturing Apparatus

A sheet manufacturing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodimentwill be described below by appropriately referencing FIGS. 1-10.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a partial cross section of adefibrating unit 300. FIGS. 2A to 2D are schematic diagrams illustratinga rotating unit 100 viewed from the extending direction of a centralrotation axis 110. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are schematic diagrams illustratinga main portion of the defibrating unit 300 viewed from a direction whichis orthogonal to the central rotation axis 110. FIG. 5 is a schematicdiagram illustrating the rotating unit 100. FIG. 6 is a schematicdiagram illustrating a rotating plate 10. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagramillustrating the rotating plate 10 and a fixing plate 20 in a planarview. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the fixing plate 20.FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fixing unit 200. FIG. 10 isa diagram schematically illustrating the sheet manufacturing apparatus1000 according to the present embodiment.

In the present specifications, defibration object refers to materialwhere fibers are entangled or bonded such as pulp sheets, paper, usedpaper, nonwoven materials, fiber board, tissue paper, kitchen paper,cleaning paper, filters, liquid absorbing materials, sound absorbingbodies, shock absorbing materials, or mats. Natural fibers (animalfibers and plant fibers), chemical fibers (organic fibers, inorganicfibers, organic and inorganic composite fibers), and the like can begiven as examples of the fibers. In more detail, examples include fiberswhich are formed from cellulose, silk, wool, cotton, hemp, kenaf, flax,ramie, jute, Manila hemp, sisal, softwood, and hardwood and fibers whichare formed from rayon, lyocell, cupra, vinylon, acrylic, nylon, aramid,polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyimide, carbon,glass, and metal, and the defibration object may be include a singletype of fiber or may be a combination of a plurality of types of fibers.

In addition, in the present specifications, dry type has the meaning ofin air and not in water. The scope of dry type includes a dry state anda state where there is liquid as an impurity or there is liquid which isintentionally added.

1.1 Defibrating Unit

The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1000 according to the presentembodiment includes the defibrating unit 300 as illustrated in FIGS. 1and 10. The defibrating unit 300 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus1000 according to the present embodiment has a rotor 90 and a feedingblade 40. The rotor 90 and the feeding blade 40 are a portion of theconfiguration of a rotating unit 100 of the defibrating unit 300.

The defibrating unit 300 carries out a dry-type defibrating process ondefibration object. The defibrating unit 300 creates fibers which areuntangled into a fibrous form by carrying out defibrating on thedefibration object. Here, the “defibrating process” refers to a processwith the aim of individual fibers in the defibration object, where aplurality of fibers are bonded together, being untangled. In addition,material which passes through a gap G (which will be described later) ofthe defibrating unit 300 is referred to “defibrated material” in thepresent specifications.

As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the defibrating unit 300 of the presentembodiment has the rotating unit 100 which is configured to include therotor 90 and the feeding blade 40. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, thedefibrating unit 300 of the present embodiment includes the fixing unit200 and is configured so that the rotating unit 100 rotates at the innerside of the fixing unit 200 around a rotating shaft 120.

1.1.1 Rotating Unit

The rotating unit 100 includes the rotor 90 and the feeding blade 40. Itis possible for the rotor 90 to rotate around the central rotation axis110 and a plurality of protuberances 91 for defibrating are providedaround the outside of the rotor 90 centered on the central rotation axis110. The rotor 90 is not particular limited as long as it is possible tocontribute to an action of defibrating the defibration object. The rotor90 has the rotation shaft 120 and it is possible for the rotor 90 to beconfigured from a single member or a plurality of members.

Each member of the defibrating unit 300 of the present embodiment willbe described in order below.

Rotor

The rotor 90 includes a plurality of rotating plates 10. The number ofthe rotating plate 10 of the rotor 90 is not limited as long as thereare a plurality of the rotating plates 10. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.5, the rotor 90 has a structure where at least two of the plurality ofrotating plates 10 come into contact and are layered with regard to therotation shaft 120 in a direction in which the rotation shaft 120extends. Here, all of the rotating plates 10 need not come into contactand be layered in the rotor 90.

The rotating plates 10 are members with a plate shape as shown in FIGS.6 and 7 and are provided with a base section 11 which is positioned onthe central rotation axis 110 side and a plurality of protrudingsections 12 which protrude from the base section 11 in a direction to befurther from the central rotation axis 110. The central rotation axis110 is positioned centrally when the rotor 90 is rotated and is avirtual line which passes through the vicinity of the center of gravityof the rotating plates 10. It is preferable that the rotating plates 10are formed so that there is balance of the weight with regard to thecentral rotation axis 110 in order for the rotating plates 10 to rotatearound the central rotation axis 110 using the rotation shaft 120.

The base section 11 of the rotating plate 10 has an engaging hole 13which engages with the rotation shaft 120 as shown in the diagram sothat it is possible for the rotating plate 10 to rotate along with therotating of the rotation shaft 120. In addition, the base section 11 hasa plurality of reduced material sections 14 for reducing the weight ofthe rotating plate 10. In addition, a plurality of bolt holes 15 areformed in the base section 11 in order for a plurality of the rotatingplates 10 to be held in a state of being layered.

The protruding sections 12 of the rotating plates 10 are protuberanceswith substantially square shapes in a planar view as shown in thediagram (refer to FIG. 7) and protrude in a radial formation from thecentral rotation axis 110 to the outside. The number of protrudingsections 12 is not particularly limited as long as there is no loss ofperformance in the defibrating process. In the example which is shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, 20 of the protruding sections 12 are provided in therotating plate 10 with equal spacing.

In addition, in the example in the diagrams, 6 of the reduced materialsections 14 and 6 of the bolt holes 15 are formed in the base section 11of the rotating plate 10, but it is sufficient if an appropriate numberof the reduced material sections 14 and the bolt holes 15 are providedaccording to requirements. In addition, the base section 11 has asubstantially circular shape in a planar view as shown in the example inthe diagrams, but the base section 11 may have a polygonal shape or ashape which includes curves. In addition, although not shown in thediagrams, protuberances or guides may be formed in order for positioningwith regard to members which are layered onto the rotating plates 10(which include the adjacent rotating plates 10), and the protuberancesor the guides may protrude in the thickness direction of the rotatingplates 10.

The thickness of the rotating plates 10 is not particularly limited. Thethickness of the protruding sections 12 may be the same from the basesection 11 side to the tip end. The base section 11 and the protrudingsections 12 of the rotating plate 10 may be integrally formed or may beseparately formed, and the protruding sections 12 may be arranged so asto protrude from the base section 11 using an appropriate means. Here,in the present specifications, the thickness of the rotating plate 10(which includes the base section 11 and the protruding sections 12)refers to the dimension of the rotating plate 10 in a direction in whichthe rotation shaft 120 extends.

It is possible for examples of the material for the rotating plates 10to include stainless steel, high hardness steel, ceramics, ultrahardalloys, precipitation hardening stainless material, and the like. Inaddition, the base section 11 and the protruding sections 12 may beformed from materials which are different to each other. In addition,after being formed using predetermined materials, a process where thesurfaces of the rotating plates 10 are hardened may be carried outthrough a gas oxidation process, plating, or the like. Furthermore, thehardening process may be performed after each of the plates is layered.By doing this, it is possible to reduce the materials which are used inthe hardening process. It is possible for the rotating plates 10 to beformed by punching out cold rolled steel, steel strips (SPCC, SPCD,SPCE, SPCF, SPCG), or the like using a press.

It is possible for the size of the rotating plates 10 to beappropriately determined depending on the processing performance of thedefibrating unit 300 or the like. In addition, the size of the basesection 11, the length by which the protruding sections 12 protrude fromthe base section 11, and the like are not particularly limited. Here,the distance from the central rotation axis 110 to the tip end of theprotruding sections 12 is the same for the plurality of protrudingsections 12. Due to this, it is possible for the size of the gap withthe fixing unit 200 (the gap G which will be described later) to bemaintained to be substantially constant over the entire circumference ofthe rotating plate 10 since the tip ends of each of the protrudingsections 12 trace out trajectories which are substantially the samecircle when the rotor 90 is rotated. The rotor 90 has a structure wherethe protruding sections 12 of the rotating plates 10 are layered in adirection in which the rotation shaft 120 extends.

The rotor 90 has a structure where the protruding sections 12 of therotating plates 10 are layered in a direction in which the rotationshaft 120 extends. This structure configures the plurality ofprotuberances 91 for defibrating. Due to the protuberances 91, it ispossible to contribute to the effect of generating a flow of air anduntangling the defibration object which is introduced into thedefibrating unit 300, an effect of hitting (smashing) the defibrationobject, and the like in a case where the rotating unit 100 is rotated.

The rotor 90 has the rotation shaft 120 which is orthogonal with regardto the flat surface of the rotating plates 10. It is possible for therotation shaft 120 to rotate around the central rotation axis 110 due toan outside driving mechanism such as a motor which is not shown in thediagrams. Due to rotating of the rotation shaft 120, it is possible torotate the rotating plates 10. The rotation shaft 120 has an outdiameter shape in the diagrams so that it is possible to engage withregard to the engaging holes 13 of the rotating plates 10.

The size of the rotor 90 in a direction along the rotation shaft 120 isnot particularly limited in a range where it is possible to carry out anaction where the defibration object is introduced into the defibratingunit 300 and the defibration object is defibrated in a case where therotor 90 is rotated. It is possible for the size of the rotor 90 in adirection along the rotation shaft 120 to be adjusted according tochanges in the thickness, the number of layerings, and the like of therotating plates 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the rotor 90 is configured so that there arestep sections 50 with four steps where 24 of the rotating plates 10 arelayered and five partition plates 30 are layered between and on bothends of each of the step sections 50. In this example, all of therotating plates 10 have the same shape and the same thickness. Inaddition, here, the protruding sections 12 of the rotating plates 10which configure one of the step sections 50 are layered substantiallywithout deviating in the circumference direction and each of theprotruding sections 12 in the adjacent step sections 50 are arranged sodeviate in the circumference direction. In addition, the partitionplates 30 are arranged between the adjacent step sections 50. As aresult, the protruding sections 12 in each of the step sections 50 arelayered so as to come into contact and the protruding sections 12 at aportion, where the partition plates 30 are arranged, are arranged so asto not come into contact. It is possible for the material of thepartition plates 30 to be the same as the rotating plates 10.

Feeding Blade

The feeding blade 40 is provided on one of the side sections of therotor 90. Here, the side section refers to an end section of the rotor90 in a direction in which the central rotation axis 110 (the rotationshaft 120) extends (extending direction). Accordingly, the side sectionsof the rotor 90 are in two locations. Out of the side section at the twolocations, the feeding blade 40 is provided at the side section on theside where the defibration object is introduced with regard to thedefibrating unit 300. In other words, the feeding blade 40 is providedon the rotor 90 at the side section on the input section side for thedefibration object. The input section is a portion which refers to aconfiguration where the defibration object is introduced with regard tothe defibrating unit 300 and which is on the side where an input pipe320 is arranged. Accordingly, the defibration object is introduced inthe vicinity of the feeding blade 40 when introduced from the input pipe320 into the defibrating unit 300.

The feeding blade 40 has a blade section 41 which stands up in theextending direction of the central rotation axis 110 of the rotor 90.Since the blade section 41 has a shape which protrudes toward the inputpipe 320 side when viewed from the rotor 90, air is fanned by the bladesection 41 when the rotor 90 rotates and a flow of air is generated. Theshape, inclination when standing up, the size, and the like of the bladesection 41 is not limited as long as a surface is formed whichprogresses in the circumference direction when the rotating unit 100 isrotated. In addition, it is possible to appropriately adjust theinclination when the blade section 41 is standing up so that it ispossible to generate a desired flow of air. In addition, in a case suchas where the blade section 41 is a plate shape, the plate may be curvedor bent. Appropriate settings are possible so that it is possible for adesired flow of air to be generated where the shape of the surface ofthe blade section 41 which generates the flow of air is either apolygonal shape or an irregular shape which is partitioned by a straightline or a curved line.

It is possible for the feeding blade 40 to be configured from a bladeplate 42 and the blade section 41. In this case, the blade section 41may be configured by a portion of the blade plate 42 being bent so as tostand up. In addition, the blade section 41 may be formed by a sidesection of the rotor 90 directly standing up. In this case, the feedingblade 40 is configured by the blade section 41 (to include a joiningportion such as an adhesive). The number of blade sections 41 in thefeeding blade 40 is not limited. In a case where a plurality of theblade sections 41 are provided, it is preferable that the plurality ofblade sections 41 are arranged symmetrically with regard to the centralrotation axis 110.

In the example in FIGS. 1 and 5, the feeding blade 40 is provided on therotor 90 at the side section on the side where the input pipe 320 isarranged and is configured from the blade plate 42 and the blade section41. Then, in this example, the blade plates 42 are provided in sixlocations to be bend substantially at right angles and are set as six ofthe blade sections 41, and are arranged in a radial formation from thecentral rotation axis 110 in a case where each of the blade sections 41are viewed from a direction along the central rotation axis. It ispossible for the material of the feeding blade 40 to be the same as forthe rotating plates 10.

FIGS. 2A to 2D are schematic diagrams of the rotating unit 100 viewedfrom the extending direction of the central rotation axis 110 and areschematic diagrams illustrating various aspect of the blade section 41.In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the blade sections 41 are exemplifiedas the blade sections 41 with a flat plate shape along lines whichextend from the central rotation axis 110 in a radial formation. In theexample shown in FIG. 2B, the blade sections 41 are exemplified as theblade sections 41 where a surface of the blade section 41 with a flatplate shape has an inclination with regard to a direction along lineswhich extend from the central rotation axis 110 in a radial formation.In this example, each of the blade sections 41 are provided to beinclined in a specific direction but are not limited to this, and it ispossible for the angle of inclination and the direction of inclinationto be arbitrarily set for each of the blade sections 41. In addition, inthe examples of FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the blade sections 41 are exampleswhere a cut out portion of the blade plate 42 is bent by 90 degrees in adirection along the rotation shaft 120 and the feeding blade 40 isformed from the blade plates 42 and the blade sections 41.

In the example shown in FIG. 2C, the blade sections 41 are exemplifiedas the blade sections 41 which are formed along lines which extend fromthe central rotation axis 110 in a radial formation and which are formedin a shape of a plate which is curved. In the example shown in FIG. 2D,the blade sections 41 are exemplified as the blade sections 41 which areformed along lines which extend from the central rotation axis 110 in aradial formation and which are formed in a shape of a (rectangular)thick plate. In addition, in the examples in FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D, theblade sections 41 are examples where the blade section 41 is joined tothe partition plate 30 and the feeding blade 40 is formed from the bladesections 41. In addition, the blade sections 41 are joined to thepartition plate 30 in this example, but the blade sections 41 may bejoined to the base section 11 of the rotor 90. As in the examples inFIG. 2C and FIG. 2D, the feeding blade 40 (the blade section 41) may beattached with regard to the base section 11 in a case where the rotor 90is formed from the base section 11 on the side which is close to thecentral rotation axis 110 and the plurality of protruding sections 12which protrude from the base section 11 in a direction to be furtherfrom the central rotation axis 110, and due to this, it is easy to feedthe defibration object with regard to the direction of the rotor 90 (thegap G) since there is no gap between the rotor 90 and the feeding blade40.

In each of the examples shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, six of the bladesections 41 are provided but the number of the blade sections 41 is notlimited. In addition, the rotating direction of the rotor 90 in each ofthe examples shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D may be clockwise orcounterclockwise in FIGS. 2A to 2D. It is possible to appropriately setthe number, shape, and arrangement of the blade sections 41 and therotating direction of the rotor 90 so that it is possible to generate adesired flow of air.

The feeding blade 40 has an action where it is possible to generate acentrifugal force and/or a flow of air by rotating and the defibrationobject is feed in the direction of the rotor 90. In addition, thefeeding blade 40 has an action where it is easy for defibration objectto be defibrated by being hit using the feeding blade 40. That is, thedefibration object is crushed by the feeding blade 40 before progressinginto the gap G and is in a state where it is easier to defibrate.Furthermore, the feeding blade 40 has an action where deviations insupply of the defibration object with regard to the entire circumferenceof the rotor 90 is suppressed since the defibration object which isinput from the input section (the input pipe 320) is mixed up.

Here, various dimensions of the rotor 90, the feeding blade 40, and thedefibrating unit 300 will be defined with reference to FIG. 2A to FIG.4. As shown in FIG. 2A to FIG. 4, R1 is a distance from the centralrotation axis 110 to a trajectory which is drawn in a case of rotatingthe tip end of the protuberances 91 for defibrating in the rotor 90. R2is a distance from the central rotation axis 110 to a trajectory whichis drawn in a case of rotating the tip end of a portion which excludesthe protuberances 91 for defibrating (the base section) in the rotor 90.R3 is a distance from the central rotation axis 110 to a trajectorywhich is drawn in a case of rotating the tip end of the blade section 41at a side which is close to the central rotation axis 110. R4 is adistance from the central rotation axis 110 to a trajectory which isdrawn in a case of rotating the tip end of the blade section 41 at aside which is far from the central rotation axis 110. R5 is a distancefrom the central rotation axis 110 to a trajectory which is drawn in acase of rotating the tip end of the blade plate 42 in a case where thefeeding blade 40 is configured to include the blade plate 42.

Furthermore, T is the thickness of the blade plate 42 (which is the sameas the thickness of the blade section 41) in a case where the feedingblade 40 is configured to include the blade plate 42. D1 is the maximumlength (height when standing) of the blade section 41 in the extendingdirection of the central rotation axis 110. That is, D1 is the distancebetween the base of the blade section 41 and a portion of the bladesection 41 which is closest to the input pipe 320 of the defibratingunit 300. D2 is the distance between the tip end of the blade section 41and a position, which is closest to the rotor 90, in an input opening321 of the input pipe 320 of the defibrating unit 300. R6 is a distancefrom the central rotation axis 110 to a position, which is closest tothe rotor 90, in the input opening 321 of the input pipe 320 of thedefibrating unit 300.

Here, the input opening 321 of the input pipe 320 is a shape where theinput pipe 320 is cut away with a flat surface which is parallel to thecentral rotation axis 110 in the example in the diagrams but the shapeis not limited to this, and the shape may be inclined with regard to thecentral rotation axis 110 and may be a shape which is cut away with acurved surface. Even in these cases, it is possible to define R1 to R6,D1, and D2 in the same manner. In addition, the input pipe 320 may beintroduced to be parallel or inclined with regard to the centralrotation axis 110. In addition, when the input pipe 320 is introduced atright angles to the central rotation axis 110 as shown in the diagrams,the input pipe 320 may be bent towards the feeding blade 40. Even inthis case, it is possible to define R1 to R6, D1, and D2 in the samemanner.

In a case where the feeding blade 40 of the rotating unit 100 isconfigured using the blade plates 42 and the blade sections 41, the sizeof the feeding blade 40 from the central rotation axis 110 may be largerthan the base section 11 of the rotor 90 and may be smaller than theprotruding sections 12 (the protuberances 91 for defibrating). That is,when referencing FIG. 3, R5 may be larger than R2 and may be smallerthan R1 in a case where the feeding blade 40 has the blade plates 42. Bydoing this, it is possible to further increase the action of thedefibration object progressing into the gap G from the side which isfurther from the central rotation axis 110 than the circular trajectorywhich is drawn by the base section 11 using rotating of the feedingblade 40. In addition, in this case, it is possible to maintain asufficient defibrating effect since the size of the feeding blade 40from the central rotation axis 110 is smaller than the protrudingsections 12 (the protuberances 91 for defibrating).

The rotating unit 100 of the defibrating unit 300 of the presentembodiment is fastened (fixed) together with the rotor 90 which isformed from the rotating plates 10 and the partition plates 30 alongwith the feeding blade 40 (the blade plates 42 and the blade sections41) using a bolt 31 and a nut 32. By doing this, it is possible toreduce the number of members for fixing and the like when the rotor 90is provided with the feeding blade 40.

In addition, in a case where the feeding blade 40 is configured by theblade plates 42 and the blade sections 41 and an opening which forreducing the use of materials or the like is provided in the rotor 90,the blade plates 42 may close off the opening instead of the openingbeing closed off by the partition plates 30. By doing this, it ispossible that the defibration object does not enter into the opening inthe rotor 90 and it is possible to reduce the weight of the rotatingunit 100 since it is possible to reduce the number of the partitionplates 30.

1.1.2. Fixing Unit

The defibrating unit 300 of the present embodiment has the fixing unit200. The fixing unit 200 is arranged to be separated with regard to therotating unit 100 in a direction to be further from the central rotationaxis 110. The surface of the fixing unit 200 on the central rotationaxis 110 side has concavities and convexities in the circumferencedirection of the rotating unit 100.

The fixing unit 200 may be configured as a single member or may beconfigured as a plurality of members. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, thefixing unit 200 of the present embodiment is formed using a plurality offixing plates 20. The fixing plates 20 are members with a plate shapeand have a ring shape in a planar view as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Theconcavities and convexities are formed on a surface on the inner side ofthe ring of the fixing plates 20 by protruding in a direction from aportion of the ring shape toward the central rotation axis 110 in aplanar view. The concave and convex sections are formed with equalspacing and the distance between the tip ends of each of the convexsections (on the central rotation axis 110 side) and the centralrotation axis 110 is the same. In the same manner, the distance betweenthe bottom sections of each of the concave sections (on the side whichis separated from the central rotation axis 110) which are between eachof the convex sections and the central rotation axis 110 is the same.Then, as shown in FIG. 7, a plane which envelopes the surface on theinner side of the fixing plate 20 is to the outside of the plane of thetrajectory which is drawn when the protruding sections 12 of therotating plates 10 are rotated when viewed from the central rotationaxis 110. In other words, the radius of the circle which is inscribed onthe surface on the inner side of the fixing plate 20 is larger in aplanar view than the radius of the circle which is drawn when theprotruding sections 12 of the rotating plates 10 are rotated.

In the present specifications, the distance in a planar view, when theradius of the circle which is drawn when the protruding sections 12 ofthe rotating plates 10 are rotated is subtracted from the radius of thecircle which is inscribed on the surface on the inner side of the fixingplate 20, is referred to as the gap G (refer to the reference numeral Gin FIGS. 2A to 2D, 3, 7, and the like).

The plane which envelopes the surface on the inner side of the fixingplate 20 is a circular shape in a planar view and it is preferable thatthe center of the circle match to be combined with the central rotationaxis 110 of the rotating unit 100 in consideration of errors. By doingthis, it is possible to more stably perform the defibrating processsince the size of the gap G which is formed by the rotating unit 100 andthe fixing unit 200 is large and does not differ in the circumferencedirection of the rotation shaft 120.

A plurality of bolt holes 25 are formed in the fixing plate 20 in orderfor the fixing plate 20 to be held in a state where a plurality of thefixing plates 20 are layered as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Here, eight ofthe bolt holes 25 are formed in the fixing plate 20, but an appropriatenumber of the bolt holes 25 may be provided due to requirements andthere are cases where the bolt holes 25 are not necessary in a casewhere the fixing plates 20 are layered using another means.

The shape of the outer side of the fixing plates 20 have a shape whichis substantially circular in a planar view in the diagrams but the outerside of the fixing plates 20 may have a polygonal shape or a shape whichincludes curves. There are cases where it is possible for air cooling ofthe defibrating unit 300 to be promoted when the shape of the outer sideof the fixing plates 20 has concavities and convexities. In addition,although not shown in the diagram, protuberances or guides may be formedin order for positioning with regard to members which are layered ontothe fixing plates 20 (which include the adjacent fixing plates 20), andthe protuberances or the guides may protrude in the thickness directionof the fixing plates 20.

The thickness of the fixing plates 20 is not particularly limited. Thethickness of the fixing plates 20 and the rotating plates 10 may be thesame or may be different. In a case where the thickness of the fixingplates 20 and the thickness of the rotating plates 10 is the same, it ispossible for dimensional accuracy and productivity to be improved sinceit is possible to manufacture the fixing plates 20 and the rotatingplates 10 at the same time when manufacturing the fixing plates 20 andthe rotating plates 10 by press punching from the same raw material (forexample, steel plates). In particular, it is possible to improve thedimensional precision of the gap. Here, in the present specifications,the thickness of the fixing plate 20 refers to the dimension of thefixing plate 20 in a direction in which the rotation shaft 120 extendsin a case of being arranged with the rotating unit 100.

The material of the fixing plates 20 is the same as the rotating plates10. It is possible for the size of the fixing plates 20 to beappropriately determined according to the processing performance of thedefibrating unit 300, design of the gap G between the rotating plates 10and the fixing plates 20, and the like.

The fixing plates 20 are layered in the fixing unit 200 so that theadjacent fixing plates 20 come into contact in a direction in which therotation shaft 120 extends. In FIG. 9, 101 of the fixing plates 20,which are formed with the same thickness as the rotating plates 10, arelayered so as to come into contact.

The number of the fixing plates 20 of the fixing unit 200 of the presentembodiment is not limited as long as there is a plurality of the fixingplates 20. The number of the fixing plates 20 may be the same or may bedifferent to the number of the rotating plates 10. In the presentembodiment, the fixing unit 200 has a structure where a plurality of thefixing plates 20 are layered so as to come into contact in a directionin which the rotation shaft 120 extends with regard to the rotationshaft 120 of the rotating unit 100. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, thefixing unit 200 is a shape of a straight pipe (tube) so that there is acentral shaft at an inner surface with concavities and convexities.

The fixing plates 20 are layered so that the concavities and convexitieson the inner side which are formed in each of the adjacent fixing plates20 come into contact with each other when the fixing plates 20 arelayered. As a result, concavities and convexities are formed in thecircumference direction on the surface of the fixing unit 200 on thecentral rotation axis 110 side (inner surface) due to the concavitiesand convexities which belong to each of the fixing plates 20 which arelayered. Here, the shape and size of the concavities and convexities arenot particularly limited and are appropriately set in combination withthe sheets which are being manufactured.

The concavities and convexities, which are formed on the surface of thefixing unit 200 on the central rotation axis 110 side, have a functionof generating a flow of air so that the defibration object whichprogresses into the gap G is untangled in a case where the rotating unit100 is rotated in the fixing unit 200. In a case where the rotating unit100 is rotated in the fixing unit 200, the defibration object isdefibrated using a flow of air due to a flow of air being generated whenthe protruding sections 12 pass in the vicinity of the concave sectionsof the concavities and convexities and rotate in the concave sectionswhen viewed from the central rotation axis 110 side.

The shape of the concavities and convexities which are formed on theinner surface of the fixing unit 200 and the shape of the concavitiesand convexities which are formed on each of the fixing plates 20 arearbitrary as long as contribution to the action as described above ispossible. In addition, the unevenness of the concavities and convexitieswhich are formed on the inner surface of the fixing plates 20 is notparticularly limited, the concavities and convexities may besubstantially flat and the fixing plates 20 such as this may be layeredwith the fixing plates 20 with concavities and convexities which aremore uneven, and the ordering of the layering of the fixing plates 20 inthis manner is not limited.

The size of the fixing unit 200 in a direction along the rotation shaft120 (the central rotation axis 110) is not particularly limited in arange where it is possible to carry out an action where the defibrationobject is introduced into the defibrating unit 300 and the defibrationobject is defibrated in a case where the rotating unit 100 is rotated.It is possible for the size of the fixing unit 200 in a direction alongthe rotation shaft 120 to be adjusted according to changes in thethickness, the number of layerings, and the like of the fixing plates20. In addition, the size of the fixing unit 200 in a direction alongthe rotation shaft 120 may be the same as or may be different to thesize of the rotating unit 100 in a direction along the rotation shaft120.

As shown in FIG. 9, the fixing unit 200 of the present embodiment isconfigured by 101 of the fixing plates 20 with the same thickness andthe same shape being layered. Then, the rotating plates 10 (24×4 (stepsections)=96) which configure the rotor 90 of the rotating unit 100 andthe partition plates 30 (5) are layered with the same thickness.Accordingly, the number of the fixing plates 20 which are layered in thefixing unit 200 and the number of the members which are layered in therotor 90 is the same and the thicknesses are also the same. As a result,the sizes of the rotor 90 and the fixing unit 200 in a direction alongthe rotation shaft 120 are the same as each other. In the fixing unit200, the fixing plates 20 are fastened together using the bolt 31 andthe nut 32.

1.1.3. Structure of Defibrating Unit

The defibrating unit 300 of the present embodiment has the rotating unit100 described above and the fixing unit 200 described above as shown inFIG. 1. In FIG. 1, the fixing unit 200 is drawn as a cross section andthe convexities and the convexities on the inner side surface areomitted. The rotating unit 100 is arranged in the space on the innerside of the fixing unit 200 and is supported in the fixing unit 200 bythe rotation shaft 120.

It is possible for the rotating shaft 120 to be suspended at both endsby bearings which are not shown in the diagrams and to freely rotateusing a driving mechanism which is not shown in the diagrams. As thedriving mechanism, examples include a mechanism where the rotation shaft120 is directly rotated using a motor, a mechanism where the rotationshaft 120 is rotated via a power transmission mechanism such as a beltand pulley, a chain and sprocket, or gears, and the like.

In addition, a cover 310 is provided in the defibrating unit 300 in FIG.1 on both end sides in a direction in which the rotation shaft 120extends. Here, the cover 310 forms a space which is closed off both endsides of the fixing unit 200 in a direction in which the rotation shaft120 extends in a state where it is possible for the rotation shaft 120to pass through and where the defibration object and defibrated materialis accommodated within. The size of the space is not particularlylimited. In addition, here, the input pipe 320 and an output pipe 330,which link up the space which is formed by the cover 310, are provided.Furthermore, here, the feeding blade 40 is attached to an end section ofthe rotor 90 on the side of the input pipe 320 in a direction along therotation shaft 120, and the blade sections 41, where a portion of theblade plates 42 which configure the feeding blade 40 stand up in adirection along the rotation shaft 120, are provided.

The input pipe 320 is a pipe for introducing the defibration object intothe defibrating unit 300 and the output pipe 330 is a pipe fordischarging the defibrated material, which is defibrated using therotating unit 100 (the rotor 90) of the defibrating unit 300, from thedefibrating unit 300. The input pipe 320 is the input section for thedefibration object into the defibrating unit 300.

The feeding blade 40 has an action of moving the defibration object orthe defibrated material from the input pipe 320 side to the output pipe330 side. In addition, either or both of the input pipe 320 side to theoutput pipe 330 side may be provided with an air blowing mechanism suchas a blower or an air sucking mechanism in an auxiliary manner.

In the example in FIG. 1, the input opening 321 which is at the tip endof the input pipe 320 is in the vicinity of the rotation shaft 120 andan output opening 331 which is at the tip end of the output pipe 330 isat a position which is further from the rotation shaft 120. That is, theinput pipe 320 is positioned on the central rotation axis 110 side ofthe outermost trajectory, which is possible when the blade sections 41are rotated, in a direction which is orthogonal to the central rotationaxis 110. The arrangement of the input pipe 320 is such that R6 is thesame as R4 or smaller than R4 when referencing FIGS. 3 and 4. When theinput pipe 320 is arranged in this manner, the defibration object isintroduced into the inner side of the trajectory of the outermostportion of the blade sections 41. As a result, it is easy for thedefibration object to be dispersed in a radial formation from thecentral rotation axis 110 to the outside due to a centrifugal forceand/or a flow of air. By doing this, when the defibration objectprogresses into the gap G, it is difficult for there to a large amountin the circumference direction of the rotor 90 and it is possible tofeed the defibration object into the gap G in a state with fewerdeviations in the progression position.

The arrangement of the input pipe 320 is not limited to the formatdescribed above and the input pipe 320 may be arranged in a direction tobe further from the rotor 90 more than the feeding blade 40 in theextending direction of the central rotation axis 110. This arrangementis where D2 is larger than zero when referencing FIGS. 3 and 4. Due tothe input pipe 320 being arranged in this manner, it is possible toeffectively feed the defibration object to the rotor 90 using thefeeding blade 40. That is, a flow of air which is caused by rotating ofthe feeding blade 40 flows in a direction which misses the input opening321 of the input pipe 320. Due to this, it is difficult for the input ofthe defibration object from the input pipe 320 to be impeded. Due tothis, it is possible to effectively feed the defibration object withregard to the gap G and it is possible to suppress transfer problemswith the defibration object.

1.1.4. Operations of Defibrating Unit

It is possible for the defibrating unit 300 to carry out a dry-typedefibrating process on the defibration object by the rotating unit 100being rotated due to rotating of the rotation shaft 120 and thedefibration object being introduced into the gap G between the rotatingunit 100 and the fixing unit 200. It is possible for the rotation speedof the rotating unit 100 (number of rotations per minute (rpm)) to beappropriately set in consideration of conditions such as the throughputof the dry-type defibrating process, the period of time for retention ofthe defibration object, the extent of defibrating, and the shape andsize of the rotating unit 100, the fixing unit 200, and the othermembers. In the defibrating unit 300 with the structure shown in FIG. 1,the rotation speed of the rotating unit 100 is, for example, 100 rpm ormore and 11000 rpm or less, preferably 500 rpm or more and 9000 rpm orless, and more preferably 1000 rpm or more and 8000 rpm or less. Inaddition, it is not necessary for the rotation speed to be constant, andacceleration or deceleration may be performed to appropriately match thevarious conditions.

1.1.5. Period of Time for Retention of Defibration Object in DefibratingUnit

The defibration object is introduced from the input pipe 320 of thedefibrating unit 300 and is discharged as defibrated material from theoutput pipe 330. At this time, the period of time for retention of thedefibration object in the gap G between the rotating unit 100 and thefixing unit 200 (that is, the time in the gap G) is set in considerationof which type of the defibration object. In addition, the period of timefor retention is set in consideration of a balance between the rotationspeed of the rotating unit 100, the configurations, the shapes and thesizes of the rotating unit 100 and the fixing unit 200, the shape of thefeeding blade 40, and the like.

In a case where the defibration object is a substance which is difficultto defibrate, it is preferable that the period of time for retention toset to be longer if the other conditions are the same. In addition,conversely, in a case where the defibration object is a substance whichis easy to defibrate, it is preferable that the period of time forretention to set to be shorter if the other conditions are the same. Onthe other hand, in a case where the defibration object is a specificmaterial, the length of the period of time for retention may be changeddue to the extent of untangling of the defibration object, a case wherethe throughput is changes, and the like.

1.1.6. Step Section

The rotating unit 100 of the defibrating unit 300 of the presentembodiment has the step sections 50. The step sections 50 are formed bythe layering of a plurality of the rotating plates 10 and the partitionplates 30 which are layered on both sides thereof. The partition plates30 are arranged between the adjacent step sections 50. The number of thestep sections 50 which are formed in the rotating unit 100 is arbitrary.As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, four of the step sections 50 are formed inthe present embodiment. In the rotating unit 100 of the presentembodiment, the respective step sections 50 are referred to as the firststep to the fourth step from the input pipe 320 side.

The rotating plates 10 which belong to one of the step sections 50 arelayered so as to come into contact as described above. On the otherhand, the partition plates 30 which are arranged between the stepsections 50 are provided so as to come into contact with the rotatingplates 10 and have a plate shape which is a circle which is the same asor smaller than a circle which is drawn by the tip end of the protrudingsections 12 of the rotating plates 10 in a case where the rotation shaft120 is rotated. That is, the size of the partition plates 30 is the samesize or a size on the inner side of the tip end of the protrudingsections 12 of the rotating plates 10.

It is possible for the material and the thickness of the partitionplates 30 to be the same as the rotating plates 10. The partition plates30 may have reduced material sections or bolt holes. Here, in a casewhere the rotating plates 10 have the reduced material sections 14, outof the partition plates 30, the partition plates 30, which are providedat the end sections in a direction along the rotation shaft 120 of therotating unit 100, are a shape so as to cover and close off the portionof the reduced material sections 14 of the rotating plates 10. Asalready described above, the feeding blade 40 is provided at the endsection of the rotating unit 100 on the input side. In a case where thefeeding blade 40 has the blade plates 42, a portion of the reducedmaterial sections 14 is covered by the feeding blade 40 if it is a shapewhere it is possible for the feeding blade 40 to contribute to theaction in the same manner as the partition plates 30, and it is possiblefor the partition plates 30 to be omitted in this case.

The shape of the partition plates 30 is a shape which closes off atleast a portion of grooves which extend in a direction along therotation shaft 120 which is formed by the layering of the protrudingsections 12 of the rotating plates 10 and may be a shape which closesoff all of the grooves. The shape of the partition plates 30 is a shapewhich is not to be more to the outer side from the central rotation axis110 than the protruding sections 12 of the rotating plates 10.

When the defibration object moves to the adjacent step section 50 withthe partition plates 30 being provided and the plurality of stepsections 50 being formed, the defibration object moves along thevicinity of the tip end of the protruding sections 12 due to the actionof the partition plates 30. As a result, it is possible for thefrequency with which the defibration object passes the vicinity of thetip end of the protruding sections 12 and for the defibrating process tobe more reliably carried out compared to a case where the partitionplates 30 are not provided. In addition, as described above, it ispossible to further reliably perform the defibrating process since it ispossible to lengthen the period of time for retention of the defibrationobject by providing the partition plates 30.

1.1.7. Gap

The gap G is a length where the radius of the circle (cylinder) which isdrawn when the protruding sections 12 of the rotating plates 10 arerotated is subtracted from the radius of the circle (cylinder) which isinscribed on the surface on the inner side of the fixing plate 20 whenthe rotating unit 100 is arranged on the inner side of the fixing unit200 (refer to FIGS. 3 and 7)

In the defibrating unit 300 of the present embodiment, the gap G is setto be larger than the thickness of the defibration object. Since the gapG is larger than the thickness of the defibration object, cutting issuppressed and mashing is suppressed when the defibration object entersinto the gap (the gap between the rotating unit 100 and the fixing unit200). It is preferable that the size of the gap G be approximately 2 to300 times the thickness of the defibration object. It is possible forthe gap between the rotating unit 100 and the fixing unit 200 to beappropriately adjusted by changing the outer diameter of the rotatingplates 10 or the inner diameter of the fixing plates 20.

In the defibrating unit 300 described above, it is possible toeffectively send the defibration object to the rotor 90 since thefeeding blade 40 is provided in the rotating unit 100. In addition,since it is possible to generate a flow of air from the upstream side tothe downstream side in the flow of the defibration object by providingthe feeding blade 40, it is possible to generate a flow of air which isstronger than a flow of air which is generated using only the rotor 90.Due to this, it is possible to suppress transfer problems beinggenerated in the defibrating unit 300.

In addition, due to the feeding blade 40, in addition to sending thedefibration object, it is easy to defibrate the defibration object byhitting using the blade sections 41. That is, it is possible to feed thedefibration object to the rotor with the defibration object having beenreduced in size by being crushed. Furthermore, the defibration objectwhich is input from the input section is mixed up using the feedingblade 40 and it is possible to suppress deviations in supplying of thedefibration object with regard to the entire circumference of the rotor90.

1.2. Other Configurations

The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1000 according to the presentembodiment has a configuration where at least a portion of thedefibrated material which passes through the defibrating unit 300described above accumulates and is heated.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1000includes a crushing unit 400, the defibrating unit 300, a classifierunit 500, a screening unit 600, a resin supplying unit 700, anuntangling unit 800, and a sheet forming unit 900 as shown in FIG. 10.

The crushing unit 400 cuts raw material such as pulp sheets or paperwhich is input (for example, A4 size used paper) in air and the rawmaterial becomes small pieces. The shape and size of the small pieces isnot particularly limited and are, for example, small pieces which aresquares of a few centimeters. In the example in the diagrams, thecrushing unit 400 has a crushing blade 401 and it is possible to cut theraw material which is input using the crushing blade 401. An automaticinput unit for continuously inputting the raw material (which is notshown in the diagram) may be provided in the crushing unit 400. Thecrushing unit 400 may be provided as required and it is not necessaryfor the crushing unit 400 to be provided in a case of using raw materialwhere cutting is not necessary. In addition, the crushing unit 400performs a cutting process and does not perform the defibrating process,and differs in function compared to the defibrating process (a processof untangling into a fibrous form) which is performed in the defibratingunit 300 even if a defibrating action is slightly generated. As adetailed example of the crushing unit 400, a shredder can be given as anexample.

The small pieces which are cut up by the crushing unit 400 are receivedby a hopper 405 and are introduced from the input opening 321 of thedefibrating unit 300. The defibrating unit 300 carries out a defibratingprocess on the small pieces (the defibration object). The defibratingunit 300 generates defibrated material which is untangled into a fibrousform by carrying out a defibrating process on the small pieces.Defibrating becomes easier in the defibrating unit 300 using the smallpieces from the crushing unit 400. In addition, using the small piecesfrom the crushing unit 400, it is easy for the defibration object topass through the gap G and enter between the protruding portions 12 ofthe rotating plates 10. The defibrated material which is generated isdischarged from the output opening 331 and is introduced into theclassifier unit 500.

The classifier unit 500 separates and removes resin particles, inkparticles, and the like from the defibrated material according torequirements. An air flow type of classifier device is used as theclassifier unit 500. The air flow type of classifier device generates arevolving flow of air and separates using centrifugal force and the sizeand density of material which is classified, and it is possible toadjust the classifying points by adjusting the speed or centrifugalforce of the air flow. In detail, a cyclone, an elbow jet, an eddyclassifier, or the like may be used as the classifier unit 500. Inparticular, it is possible to favorably use a cyclone as the classifierunit 500 since the structure of the cyclone is simple.

The defibrated material which is classified by the classifier unit 500is introduced into the screening unit 600. Unnecessary material which isseparated using the classifier unit 500 is discharged to the outside ofthe classifier unit 500 by being passed through a discharge pipe 501. Itis possible to avoid excessive resin in the defibrated material evenwhen resin is supplied using the resin supplying unit 700 which will bedescribed later since resin particles and the like are discharged to theoutside through the discharge pipe 501 in a case where used paper isused as the raw material. In addition, the classifier unit 500 is notneeded in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1000 in a case where the rawmaterial is pulp sheets and not used paper.

The screening unit 600 screens in air for whether the defibratedmaterial where the defibrating process is carried out by the defibratingunit 300 is “passing material” which passes through the screening unit600 and “residual material” which does not pass through the screeningunit 600. It is possible for various types of sieves to be used as thescreening unit 600. It is possible for material to pass through thescreening unit 600 due to being screened depending on the length offibers which are able to pass through the openings of a sieve out of thedefibrated material where the defibrating process is carried out. Thescreening unit 600 is not an essential configuration and is providedaccording to the state of the defibrated material which is necessary forthe sheets which are being manufactured. Here, the residual material,which has long fibers or is in a state of the defibrating process havingbeen insufficient and does not pass through the screening unit 600, istransferred on the hopper 405 via a returning flow path 602 as shown inFIG. 10 and may be returned again to the defibrating unit 300.

The passing material which passes through a first opening of thescreening unit 600 is transferred to an introduction port 801 of theuntangling unit 800 via the resin supplying unit 700. A supply port 701for supplying resin which bonds the fibers to each other is provided inthe resin supplying unit 700.

The resin supplying unit 700 supplies resin from the supply port 701into the air. That is, the resin supplying unit 700 supplies resin in apath from the screening unit 600 to the untangling unit 800 (between thescreening unit 600 and the untangling unit 800). The resin supplyingunit 700 is not particularly limited if it is possible to supply resinin the transfer path, and a screw feeder, a cycle feeder, or the likemay be used as the resin supplying unit 700. Then, the defibratedmaterial and the resin is mixed.

The resin which is supplied from the resin supplying unit 700 is resinfor bonding the plurality of fibers. The plurality of fibers are notbonded at the point in time when the resin is supplied into the path.The plurality of fibers are bonded by the resin being hardened whenpassing through the sheet forming unit 900 which will be describedlater.

The resin which is supplied from the resin supplying unit 700 isthermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin. The resin which is suppliedfrom the resin supplying unit 700 may be in a fibrous form or may be ina powder form. The amount of resin which is supplied from the resinsupplying unit 700 is appropriately set according to the type of sheetswhich are being manufactured. Here, other than the resin which bonds thefibers which are untangled, a coloring agent for coloring the fiberswhich are untangled and an aggregation inhibitor for inhibitingaggregation of the fibers which are untangled may be supplied dependingon the type of paper which is being manufactured.

The untangling unit 800 untangles the passing material which isentangled. Furthermore, the untangling unit 800 untangles the resinwhich is entangled in a case where the resin which is supplied from theresin supplying unit 700 is in a fibrous form. In addition, theuntangling unit 800 uniformly accumulates the passing material and theresin at an accumulation section which will be described later.

It is possible to use a sieve as the untangling unit 800. The fibers andthe resin which pass through the untangling unit 800 accumulate withuniform thickness and density on the accumulation section which will bedescribed later. The untangling unit 800 is not an essentialconfiguration in a case where there is no fibers which are entangled, acase of accumulating with entangling and without untangling, and thelike.

The defibrated material and the resin which passes through theuntangling unit 800 accumulate on an accumulation section 901 of thesheet forming unit 900. The sheet forming unit 900 has the accumulationsection 901, stretching rollers 902, heating rollers 903, tensionrollers 904, and winding roller 905 as shown in FIG. 10. The sheetforming unit 900 forms sheets using the defibrated material and theresin which passes through the untangling unit 800. The sheet formingunit 900 will be described in detail below.

Accumulating on the accumulation section 901 of the sheet forming unit900 is carried out by the defibrated material and the resin which passesthrough the untangling unit 800 being received. The accumulation section901 is positioned below the untangling unit 800. The accumulationsection 901 receives the defibrated material and the resin and is, forexample, a mesh belt. A mesh which is stretched by the stretchingrollers 902 is formed in the mesh belt. The accumulation section 901moves by driving of the stretching rollers 902. A web with a uniformthickness is formed on the accumulation section 901 due to thedefibrated material and the resin from the untangling unit 800 buildingup continuously while the accumulation section 901 is continuouslymoved.

The defibrated material and the resin which accumulates on theaccumulation section 901 of the sheet forming unit 900 is heated andpressurized by being passed through the heating rollers 903 along withthe moving of the accumulation section 901. Due to the heating, thefibers are bonded to each other with the resin functioning as a bondingagent and are thin due to being pressurized, the surface is planarizedby being passed through the tension rollers 904, and a sheet S isformed. The sheet S in the example in the diagram is wound using thewinding roller 905.

It is possible to manufacturing the sheet S as above.

Here, the sheets which are manufacturing using the sheet manufacturingapparatus 1000 mainly refer to sheets with a sheet shape. However, thesheets are not limited to having a sheet shape and may have a boardshape or a web shape. The sheet in the present specifications can bedivided into paper or nonwoven material. Paper includes formats wherefresh pulp or used paper is the raw material and which are formed inthin sheet shapes, and includes recording paper, wall paper, wrappingpaper, colored paper, cartridge paper, drawing paper, and the like withthe aim of writing or printing. Nonwoven material has greater thicknessand lower strength compared to paper and typically includes nonwovenmaterial, fiber board, tissue paper, kitchen paper, cleaning paper,filters, liquid absorbing materials, sound absorbing bodies, shockabsorbing materials, mats, and the like. Here, plant fibers such ascellulose, chemical fibers such as PET (polyethylene-telephthalate) orpolyester, or animal fibers such as wool or silk may be used as rawmaterials.

In addition, although no shown in the diagram, a water spraying devicemay be provide for spraying of additional water onto the accumulatedmaterial which accumulates on the accumulation section 901. Due to this,it is possible to increase the strength of hydrogen bonding when formingthe sheet S. The straying of addition water is performed with regard tothe accumulated material before passing through the heating rollers 93.Starch, PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), or the like may be added to the waterwhich is sprayed by the water spraying device. Due to this, it ispossible to further increase the strength of the sheet S.

In addition, a format with winding of the sheet S using the windingroller 905 is described in the example described above, but the sheet Smay be cut into a desired size using a cutting device which is not shownin the diagram and may be stacked using a stacker or the like.

In the preset application, same and uniform include cases which aredifferent within a range which is approximately ±10% in consideration oferrors in processing, accumulation of dimensional precision of rawmaterials, and the like

The embodiment of the invention is described above, but the invention isnot limited to the embodiment described above and appropriatemodifications are possible within a scope which does not depart from thegist of the invention.

Due to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1000, it is possible toefficiently send the defibration object toward the rotor 90 since thefeeding blade 40 is provided in the defibrating unit 300. In addition,it is possible to generate a flow of air which is stronger than a flowof air which is generated using only the rotor 90 since it is possibleto generate a flow of air from the upstream side to the downstream sidein the flow of the defibration object by providing the feeding blade 40.Due to this, it is possible to suppress transfer problems in thedefibrating unit 300. As a result, it is possible to stably manufacturethe sheet S which is strong in practice.

It is possible for the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1000 of theinvention to manufacture sheets with at least the defibrating unit 300and the sheet forming unit 900. It is sufficient if the configurationsof the crushing unit 400, the classifier unit 500, the screening unit600, the resin supplying unit 700, and the untangling unit 800 are addedaccording to requirements. In addition, used paper in the presentapplication mainly refers to paper on which printing is carried out butmay include paper on which printing is not carried out but which haspassed through a printing apparatus or paper which has not been used.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above andvarious modifications are also possible. For example, the inventionincludes configurations which are similar in practice to theconfiguration which is described in the embodiment (for example,configurations where the functions, methods, and effects are similar andconfigurations where the object and the effects are similar). Inaddition, the invention includes configurations where a portion which isnot essential to the configuration which is described the embodiment ischanged. In addition, the invention includes configurations with similaractions and effects as the configuration which is described theembodiment and configurations where it is possible to achieve a similarobject to the configuration which is described the embodiment. Inaddition, the invention includes configurations where a known techniqueis added to the configuration which is described the embodiment.

An aspect of a sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the embodimentincludes a defibrating unit configured to carry out a dry-typedefibrating process on defibration object by rotating a rotating unit,and manufactures sheets by accumulating and heating at least a portionof defibrated material on which the dry-type defibrating process iscarried out. The rotating unit includes a rotor which has a plurality ofprotruding sections on an outer circumference of the rotor, and afeeding blade configured to generate a flow of air and arranged on aside section of the rotor on a side of an input section for thedefibration object.

According to this sheet manufacturing apparatus, it is possible toeffectively feed the defibration object toward the rotor since thefeeding blade which generates a flow of air is provided on the inputsection side in the defibrating unit. Due to this, it is possible toprevent the defibration object building up on the input section side. Inaddition, since it is possible to generate a flow of air from theupstream side to the downstream side of the distribution path of thedefibration object by providing the feeding blade, it is possible togenerate a flow of air which is stronger than a flow of air which isgenerated using only the rotor and it is possible to suppress transferproblems being generated in the defibrating unit. As a result, it ispossible to stably manufacture sheets which are strong in practice.Here, the sheet manufacturing apparatus has the following effectscompared to a case where the feeding blade is provided on the outputside for defibrated material. In a case where the feeding blade isprovided on the output side for defibrated material, it is easy totransfer materials in a fibrous form at the output side for defibratedmaterial, but the flow of air with regard to the materials (for example,paper) at the input side for defibrated material and it is difficult totransfer materials. In contrast to this, by providing the feeding bladeon the input side for defibrated material, it is possible for the flowof air to work with regard to the material in a state which is difficultto transfer and feeding is possible by the feeding blade hitting upagainst the materials. As a result, it is better for the feeding bladeto be on the input section side instead of the output section side.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment, thefeeding blade has a blade section which stands up in an extendingdirection of the central rotation axis of the rotor.

According to this sheet manufacturing apparatus, defibrating is easy bythe defibration object being hit by the blade section. That is, it ispossible to feed the defibration object to the rotor with thedefibration object having been reduced in size by being crushed.Furthermore, the defibration object which is input from the inputsection is mixed up using the feeding blade and it is possible tosuppress deviations in supplying of the defibration object with regardto the entire circumference of the rotor.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment, theinput section for the defibration object may be positioned in adirection to be further from the rotor more than the feeding blade inthe extending direction of the central rotation axis.

According to this sheet manufacturing apparatus, it is possible to moreeffectively feed the defibration object to the rotor using the feedingblade. A feeding effect and a crushing effect are reduced since a forcein a direction of returning works with regard to inputting from theinput section in a case where the feeding blade and the input sectionare in the same position in the extending direction of the centralrotation axis and it is not possible for the defibration object to comeinto contact with the feeding blade when the input section is arrangedcloser to the rotor in the extending direction of the central rotationaxis with regard to the feeding blade. In contrast to this, it ispossible to further exhibit a feeding effect and a crushing effect byarranging the input section on the side which is further from the rotor.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment, aninput port in the input section for the defibration object may bepositioned more to a side of the central rotation axis than an outermostcircle in a trajectory generated while the blade section rotates, in adirection which is orthogonal to the central rotation axis.

In the defibrating unit of this sheet manufacturing apparatus, thedefibration object is input from the inner side of the trajectory of theoutermost portion of the blade section. As a result, it is easy for thedefibration object to be dispersed in a radial formation from thecentral rotation axis to the outside and it is possible to feed thedefibration object with regard to the rotor in a state with fewerdeviations in the circumference direction of the rotor.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment, therotor may have a base section on a side which is close to the centralrotation axis and a plurality of the protruding sections which protrudefrom the base section in a direction to be further from the centralrotation axis, and the feeding blade may be attached to the basesection.

According to the defibrating unit of this sheet manufacturing apparatus,there are no gaps between the rotor and the feeding blade and it is easyto feed the defibration object with regard to the rotor since thefeeding blade is attached to the base section.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment, a sizeof the feeding blade from the central rotation axis may be larger thanthe base section and may be smaller than the protruding sections.

According to the defibrating unit of this sheet manufacturing apparatus,since the size of the feeding blade from the central rotation axis islarger than the base section, there is a larger action of moving thedefibration object to the side which is farther from the centralrotation axis than the base section. In addition, since the size of thefeeding blade from the central rotation axis is more to the centralrotation axis side than the trajectory of the front edge of theprotruding sections when rotating, it is possible to maintain asufficient defibrating effect.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment, therotor may be a layering of a plurality of rotating plates which have thebase section and the protruding sections, and the feeding blade may befixed along with the plurality of rotating plates.

It is possible for the defibrating unit of this sheet manufacturingapparatus to have the feeding blade installed along with the rotor whichincludes a plurality of rotating plates. As a result, it is possible toreduce the number of members such as fixing tools and the like.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment, therotor may have an opening and the feeding blade may cover the opening.

In the defibrating unit of this sheet manufacturing apparatus, it ispossible to have a lighter weight by installing the opening which forreducing the use of materials or the like and it is possible to closethe opening using the feeding blade. Due to this, it is possible toprevent the defibration object from entering into the opening which forreducing the use of materials or the like.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment, theremay be a cutting unit which cuts the defibration object on the upstreamside of the defibrating unit.

According to this sheet manufacturing apparatus, it is possible to moreeasily feed the defibration object to the rotor using the feeding blade.In addition, it is possible for it to be easy to transport thedefibration object using the flow of air from the feeding blade sincethe volume of defibration object is reduced due to cutting by thecutting unit.

An aspect of a defibrating unit according to the embodiment isconfigured to carry out a dry-type defibrating process on defibrationobject by rotating a rotating unit. The rotating unit includes a rotorthat has a plurality of protruding sections on an outer circumference ofthe rotor, and a feeding blade configured to generate a flow of air andarranged on a side section of the rotor on a side of the input sectionfor the defibration object.

According to this defibrating unit, it is possible to effectively feedthe defibration object toward the rotor since the feeding blade whichgenerates a flow of air is provided on the input section side. Inaddition, by providing the feeding blade, it is possible to generate aflow of air which is stronger than a flow of air which is generatedusing only the rotor. Due to this, it is possible to suppress transferproblems being generated in the defibrating unit.

General Interpretation of Terms

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words havingsimilar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and theirderivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or“element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of asingle part or a plurality of parts. Finally, terms of degree such as“substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean areasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the endresult is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can beconstrued as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified termif this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of theembodiments according to the present invention are provided forillustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A defibrating unit comprising: a rotating unit;and a fixing unit, the rotating unit and the fixing unit being arrangedso as to be apart from each other with a gap therebetween in anintersecting direction that intersects with a rotating shaft of therotating unit, the rotating unit including a surface that stands upalong an axial direction of the rotating shaft, the surface beingarranged on a side section in the axial direction and arranged at a sidewhere a defibration object is introduced, the fixing unit including aplurality of plates that are layered in the axial direction, the plateshaving a plurality of convexities that protrude at a side facing therotating unit.
 2. The defibrating unit according to claim 1, wherein theplates of the fixing unit are layered such that the convexities ofadjacent plates among the plates are contacted to each other.
 3. Thedefibrating unit according to claim 1, wherein the surface of therotating unit extends radially in a direction from the rotating shaft tothe fixing unit.